If you lost luggage at airport, help is on the way

The Trakdot device is designed to let passengers keep track of their luggage. (GlobaTrac )

Airlines in the U.S. lose or damage about 140,000 bags a month, or about three for every 100,000 passengers.

It’s a relatively small loss rate. Still, several companies hope to capitalize on the frustration you feel waiting by the baggage carousel only to realize your luggage didn’t make it onto your flight.

Los Angeles-based GlobaTrac plans to begin shipping next week a palm-sized device that you toss into your bag to track your luggage, via the internet or a smartphone app. The device, called Trackdot, sells for $50, plus fees from www.Trakdot.com.

Meanwhile, European aerospace company Airbus announced last month that it is producing luggage with built-in technology that allows passengers to track the bag. The luggage even includes a built-in scale to tell if you are exceeding the maximum weight limits.

No word on the cost of the high-tech suitcase, but Airbus is reportedly considering letting airlines rent the bags to passengers.